Elections to the council are held in three out of every four years, with one third of the seats on the council being elected at each election. From 1995 to the 2004 election the Liberal Democrats had a majority on the council, but after 2 years when no party held a majority the 2006 election saw the Conservative party gain control.[1] The elections on 6 May 2010 saw the Liberal Democrats re take control of the council, however the council soon switched to NOC a year later in 2011. In 2012, the Conservative Party made their only Council gain of the entire English local elections and won a majority in Winchester once again.[2] Subsequently, two Conservative councillors defected to the Liberal Democrat group, placing the council under No Overall Control.[3]

The council is currently led by a Conservative administration. The make up of the council as of August 2014 is:[4]